{Ishkur | Savis Forest Springs}

Sagan was sure and steady, almost serene. This was a moment worth fighting for, and although she could never forget the ones they’d lost, Sagan was content in knowing their fallen would be happy for her. Right here with her, in fact. She spared a glance for the marker where Rayne should be standing opposite to Nox and knew this was right.

This union was deserved.

So Sagan couldn’t help but notice the flicker in her groom’s eyes. Korac looked momentarily lost, but came back to her with his signature smirk. He let his eyes rake across her bindings, and when he met hers again, the snow of them smoldered.

Meanwhile, the closer Sagan came to him, the more she could see of his tux and hair.

Wow.

While staring, she mis-stepped, and Andrew saved it from looking obvious.

With his smirk even more crooked, Korac mouthed words which melted Sagan to the spot.

“I. Love. The. Way. You. Look. At. Me.”

Her cheeks burned. Why was she blushing so much?! Jeez. Everything about Korac’s eyes on Sagan burned her skin into a flustered frenzy. Maybe because everyone in this clearing knew what they’d get up to later tonight and for days after—

Weeks were more like it.

The rest of the crowd came into focus, and everyone—especially Pehton—looked amazing. The entire clearing glowed from the Shadow’s elation. There were smiles and happy tears. Lamassau dispensed tissues throughout, dabbing his own voids.

Only Kyle looked… What was the expression on his face? Smug? Self-satisfaction?

It was so out of place it nearly made Sagan laugh.

With a small wave to Karter and Echo as they passed, Sagan and Andrew approached the ceremonial cushions. One for the bride and one for the groom, set between their parties. Over Korac’s shoulder, Xelan met Sagan’s eyes. No throbbing, stressed-out vein. No clenched jaw.

Wingmaster grinned at her with glistening eyes as he glanced at Rayne’s marker. It wrenched the tears out of Sagan’s heart, and she swallowed hard to keep them from ruining her makeup. Rayne would understand. She hated runny eyeliner as much as the next girl—

Screw it.

Sagan left the cushion to run into Xelan’s arms. Her mentor and best friend clutched her close and kissed her twisted hair. He gave the best hugs. Elden, Sagan had considered asking him to give her away, but it seemed odd given the circumstances. This unexpected hug was perfect. Instead, he separated them and kissed her knuckles, straightened her hair, and walked her back to the cushions.

There, Korac waited with perfect patience and understanding. When Xelan took his hand, Korac’s composure tweaked a bit, but he relaxed once the Co-Emperor joined the bride and groom’s hands together.

Xelan gave a significant nod of approval—which meant so much—before returning to his place with the other groomsmen. Pehton tiptoed to whisper something to him, making his grin blossom again, and everything was back on track.

Iuo, already two tissues in, gestured for them to kneel. As was Icarean tradition, Sagan knelt on her cushion, staring into Korac’s eyes, as he knelt on his. Both on their knees, their gazes were nearly level, with Korac only a fraction higher. So close it was intimate, and Sagan appreciated the custom.

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“All of Iona Pax knows why we gather today,” Iuo started, his black and blue reptilian eyes flicking across the crowd. “Welcome to the union of General Sagan Sterling and General Korac of Cinder.”

Sagan smiled, happy Korac had finally adopted the world which had so readily accepted him. He smirked back, and her breath left her.

“In a beautiful blending of two races with a tempestuous history, this couple honors their unioned traditions to celebrate the establishment of our unified galaxy. The strife may not completely end with this ceremony, but hope will convey beyond it. It will act as a beacon we’ll trust to follow on our journey to Eternity. So, no pressure, you two.”

Sagan giggled, and Korac chuckled while the crowd joined them in the snickers—

“No pressure?! I got twenty thousand credits on you two lasting forever. Don’t disappoint me!”

At Bone’s cry, Twenty-One shouted, “Hah! I got thirty.”

While Lamassau and the others went at it, Iuo discretely leaned in and whispered, “Fifty.”

Sagan laughed, but let Korac see exactly what she thought on her face.

Staring into her eyes, he put them to shame. Korac said, “One million credits.”

There wasn’t a sound other than the breeze rustling through the trees and water pouring into the lower springs.

Iuo swallowed hard enough for the bride and groom to glance at him. His expression was so hard to describe. Awe. Joy. Pure faith. And love. When Sagan beamed back at him, the Lamian King Elect startled, as if he realized he’d been staring. “Ahem. Yes. In front of those who stand witness, exchange your vows of union. From these words forth, you are wedded and belong to each other.”

This was the part of the ceremony Korac had glossed over when explaining it to Sagan. So she left it entirely to him to fill in the gaps.

Her groom held out his hands between them. She placed hers in his and searched his eyes for the next cue.

Korac smirked. “Sagan Sterling, state your terms.”

The smile that spread across her lips was bright and unstoppable. Of all things… Their bedroom negotiations. Sagan considered for a moment. How much of her did she want Korac to have for Eternity? What was the right answer? Surrounded by springs similar to the clearing where they first made love, Sagan knew what to say. “All of it to you.”

Korac didn’t beam in his smiles often, but when he did…

Sagan almost had to ask Iuo to restart her heart. She cast him a glance, and the Lamia winked as if he got it. All of it. Her eyes went straight back to her man, gazing at her with that smile.

Staring into her eyes, Korac said, “Take from me what you need.”

Oh, shit. Tears. They were coming back. Sagan’s voice trembled as she said, “Give to me what you want.”

Together, they finished as they would many times tonight and many times after. “Until Eternity takes me, I’m yours.”

Korac leaned forward, Sagan thought at first to kiss her, but he smirked as he went lower than her General collar and kissed her nacre. A sacred act—a commitment among Icari to live and die together as one. It wasn’t the first time Korac had kissed Sagan’s nacre, but it was momentous to do it in front of so many witnesses.

Sagan let him straighten before returning the gesture. He looked as surprised as she’d felt. She kissed the tie which matched her bonds to symbolize kissing over his nacre. When she straightened, he captured her face in his hands and seared his lips to hers. She parted for him. Around them people cheered and threw rice. But they’d lost her. With that kiss, Korac opened her up and slipped inside—

“C’mon, you two. It’s party time.” Pehton’s reproach made Iuo laugh, full and hearty. The best woman continued, “The entire Concerted Empire is waiting, and thanks to the groom, I haven’t eaten all day.”

Korac broke the kiss to laugh and say, “Yeah, but you can’t deny it was worth it. What do you say, wife?”

Sagan liked the sound of that. “You look gorgeous, Pehton, but…” The next question, she asked louder, “What do you think, Caedes?”

The entire wedding turned and looked at the bald Icarus with his deep eyes. Known for his economy of words, Caedes simply said, “I’ll set up that drawer tonight.”

Tameka laughed. “Finally.”

“Can I have a drawer, too?”

Pax’s innocent request put the Shadow in a fit of giggles as Xelan and Tameka both knelt to explain this aspect of grownup relationships to their son.

Amid the hilarity, Korac kept his eyes on Sagan as he lifted her ribboned knuckles to his lips. He kissed them one at a time. Her fingertips next.

The intensity of his eyes stole Sagan’s breath away, especially as his gaze drifted down her dress again. Tonight. They’d unwrap her with each shared experience.

Heart thundering, Sagan leaned in and urged against his ear, “We have to do the reception. Then the after party. And then get started on our wedding night.”

Korac turned enough for her to see his face. His smirk was practically devilish. Against her neck, he confessed, “I don’t intend to wait until the party is over.”

Yes. This is exactly what Sagan had asked for when she gave her everything to Korac.